Gaming Apparatus With a Wheel Game

ABSTRACT

A gaming apparatus ( 10 ) and a game controller ( 36 ) for a gaming apparatus is provided. A game provided on the gaming apparatus ( 10 ) under the control of the game controller ( 36 ) selects an outcome indicating part ( 60 ) and allocates an award based on the selection. A subset of the possible awards have a low probability of occurring and may result in a substantially larger allocated award than the other outcome indicating parts ( 60 ), while retaining an expected probability of winning based on a visual evaluation of the secondary game. A game controller and method of providing a game is also described and claimed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a gaming apparatus, a game controllerfor a gaming apparatus and/or a method of providing a game of chance,all including a game generally of the type of a wheel game. Inparticular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to agaming apparatus, game controller for a gamine apparatus and/or a methodof providing a game of chance that includes a wheel game as a featuregame.

BACKGROUND

Many gaming machines in existence at present include both a primarygame, which may be a spinning reel game, and a secondary game that is afeature game. Typically the feature game is able to be played onlyoccasionally and often provides the opportunity for winning asubstantial prize. Gaming machines having a feature game haveexperienced widespread success in attracting and retaining players.

Games incorporating a spinning wheel or a representation of a spinningwheel are often very effective at providing an enjoyable gamingexperience for a player. This may be due to the simplicity of a spinningwheel combined with its visual impact.

Known wheel features are a game of chance in which a player mayparticipate, which is in addition to a primary game of a gaming machine.The game of chance involves the display of a number of segments thattogether form a circular shape, and a selector to select one or more ofthe areas so as to indicate an outcome of the game of chance. Featuregames of this type will be referred to herein as “wheel features”.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,823,874 and 5,848,932 both to Adams describe asecondary payout indicator in the form of a rotatable bonus wheel whichcan be caused to spin automatically or in response to some action by aplayer, when the primary game indicates one of a predetermined pluralityof indicia.

A major disadvantage of wheel features is the limitation on the size ofthe prize segments caused by the limited area that a representation of awheel can occupy. There are therefore, a limited number of prizes thatcan be displayed effectively on the wheel without taking away from thelook and feel of the wheel, and therefore taking away one of theadvantages of a wheel feature, by making it cluttered and/or by makingit difficult to read the prize values.

Australian patent number 711501 describes providing an electronic wheelwhere the odds of landing on any given indicium are determined by thenumber of integers in a first range of integers mapped to the indicia,where the number of integers in the first range may be different fromthe number of indicia on the simulated wheel. This patent also describeschanging, replacing or otherwise modifying indicia on a simulated wheelso that, even though it may be desired to provide only n indiciumlocations on the simulated wheel, the simulated wheel may be providedwith in possible indicia by “swapping” new indicia onto the wheel duringsimulated spinning. The patent further describes having a wheel thatprovides the potential for winning a large or jackpot prize, but whichcan only provide such a win if the player has previously achieved apredefined result on a previous spin of another wheel, with the previouswheel not needing to provide an opportunity for a jackpot win.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,575 describes a gaming machine having a game with abonus feature where a player places a wager, spins a plurality of firstreels having indicia thereon, determining if indicia displayed by theplurality of first reels associated with a first pay line comprises apredetermined winning combination, and if so, paying a first award andthen associating that first award with at least one bonus reel,permitting a player to spin the at least one bonus reel or otherwiseparticipate in the bonus event, and determining if an award associatedwith the at least one bonus reel is associated with a second pay line,and if so, paying a bonus award.

Regulations for some markets, including most Australian markets,requires that the odds for wheels (and other typical casino devices)when used in a gaming machine must reflect the expected odds of thatdevice. Weightings similar to those sometimes used on reel strips ofspinning reel gaming machine games, for example using a spinning reelgame of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,419 (Telnaes) are notallowed to be applied to wheels. This makes it more difficult to offerlarge prizes on a wheel without reducing or eliminating the advantagesof a wheel feature, because the larger the prize, the more effect itwill have on the overall return to the player of the game. Accordingly,to support a large prize, either the chances of the player activatingthe wheel feature have to be very low or the amount of the average wagerof the player needs to be high.

The methods described in Australian patent number 711501 are said toaddress the desire of providing a wheel feature that permits relativelysmall wagers but provides a potential for relatively large prizes. Someof the methods may not comply with the regulations for some markets. Inaddition, a disadvantage of having a wheel that provides the potentialfor winning a large or jackpot prize, which can only provide such a winif the player has previously achieved a predefined result on a previousspin of another wheel, is that the large prize amount can not bedisplayed directly on the wheel. The player may therefore not have thefeeling that he or she can win the large prize with just one spin of thewheel.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming apparatushaving a wheel feature and/or a controller for a gaming apparatus thatincludes a wheel feature, which overcomes or alleviates problems in suchat present, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.Further or alternate objects of the present invention may becomeapparent from the following description.

Any reference in this specification to the prior art does notconstitute, nor should it be considered, an admission that such priorart was widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge inAustralia, or in any other jurisdiction, before the priority date of anyof the appended claims.

Throughout this specification the term “comprise” and variations on thisterm including “comprising” and “comprises” are to be understood toimply the inclusion of a feature, integer, step or element, and not toexclude other features, integers, steps or elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda gaming apparatus comprising a game controller and at least onedisplay, the gaming apparatus operable to allow a player to play a game,wherein the game controller controls play of the game and controls theat least one display to display representations of play of the game, therepresentations of the game comprising a selector having at least onemarker and a plurality of outcome indicating parts, each presenting to aplayer of the gaming machine a visually appreciable area that isavailable to be selected by the selector, the game controller causingdisplay on the at least one display a representation of a selection ofat least one outcome indicating part by the selector, and allocate anaward to a player of the gaming machine, the allocated award beingdependent on the selected at least one outcome indicating part, whereina subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts have asubstantially lower probability of being selected in comparison to eachof the other outcome indicating parts, and wherein the visuallyappreciable area that is available to be selected by the selector of theoutcome indicating parts in the subset is substantially less than thevisually appreciable area that is available to be selected by theselector for the other outcome indicating parts.

Preferably, the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating partsresult in a substantially larger allocated award, either in terms ofvalue received by a player or in terms of cost to an operator of thegaming apparatus, than the other outcome indicating parts.

Preferably, the outcome indicating parts together present an annular orcircular shape to the player, and wherein the at least one marker one ofmoves and appears to move about the outcome indicating parts and thenstops to show the representation of a selection of at least one outcomeindicating part.

Preferably, the selector comprises a plurality of illuminable areaslocated in a path extending about the outcome indicating parts, each ofthe illuminable areas being illuminated and darkened in a sequentialpattern and wherein an illuminable area represents said at least onemarker only when it is illuminated.

Preferably, the outcome indicating parts are each displayed as astationary area and the at least one marker is displayed as one ofmoving and appearing to move relative to the outcome indicating parts.

Preferably, the outcome indicating parts are each displayed as astationary area and the at least one marker is displayed as one ofmoving and appearing to move relative to the outcome indicating partsprogressively along a path that extends past every one of the pluralityof outcome indicating parts.

Preferably, each outcome indicating part includes indicia on it thatindicates an award to a player.

Preferably, at least one of the outcome indicating parts in the subsetof the plurality of the outcome indicating parts is displayed so as tobe visually distinctive despite presenting a lesser visually appreciablearea than the other outcome indicating parts.

Preferably, the gaming apparatus includes a further game, wherein thecontroller causes the game to be able to be played by a player of thegaming machine only on the eventuation of at least one event that isrelated to play of the further game.

Preferably, the probability of a member of the subset of the pluralityof outcome indicating parts being selected by the selector is no higherthan approximately 1 in 40 for each selection.

Preferably, the probability of a member of the subset of the pluralityof outcome indicating parts being selected by the selector is no higherthan approximately 1 in 70 for each selection.

Preferably, the probability of a member of the subset of the pluralityof outcome indicating parts being selected by the selector is no higherthan approximately 1 in 20 for each selection.

Preferably, the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating partsconsists of two outcome indicating parts.

Preferably, the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts is asingle outcome indicating part.

Preferably, the allocated award that results when an outcome indicatingpart from the subset is selected is at least ten times the allocatedaward that results when any one of the other outcome indicating parts isselected.

Preferably, the allocated award that results when an outcome indicatingpart from the subset is selected is at least twenty times the allocatedaward that results when any one of the other outcome indicating parts isselected.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda gaming apparatus having a game controller and at least one display,the gaming apparatus operable to allow a player to play a game, whereinthe game controller controls play of the game and controls the at leastone display to display representations of play of the game, therepresentations of the game comprising a plurality of outcome indicatingparts and at least one marker that is locatable in a plurality ofvisually distinct positions that each indicate the selection of anoutcome indicating part in said plurality of outcome indicating parts,the number of said visually distinct positions being greater than thenumber of the plurality of outcome indicating parts, and a visualrepresentation of the selection of an outcome indicating part by the atleast one marker, wherein the probability of the marker being in any oneof the plurality of visually distinct positions is substantially thesame as the probability that would be expected upon a visual inspectionof the representations of the game, and the gaming apparatus allocatesan award to a player of the gaming apparatus dependent on play of thegame, the award specified by the particular position in said pluralityof positions that the marker is located in when the selected outcomeindicating part was selected, at least two distinct awards beingawardable when at least one of said outcome indicating parts isselected.

Preferably, the outcome indicating parts together present an annular orcircular shape to the player, and wherein the at least one marker one ofmoves and appears to move relative to the outcome indicating parts andthen stops to select one or more of said outcome indicating parts.

Preferably, the allocated award is substantially larger, either in termsof value received by a player or in terms of cost to an operator of thegaming apparatus than all other awardable awards when the marker is in asubset of said visually distinct positions. The allocated award may beat least ten times larger than all other awardable awards of the gamewhen the at least one marker is in the subset of said visually distinctpositions when the selected outcome indicating part was selected.Alternatively, the allocated award may be at least twenty times largerthan all other awardable awards of the game when the at least one markeris in the subset of said visually distinct positions when the selectedoutcome indicating part was selected.

Preferably, the probability of the marker selecting a member of thesubset of visually distinct positions is no higher than approximately 1in 20 for each play of the game.

Preferably, the probability of the marker selecting a member of thesubset of visually distinct positions is no higher than approximately 1in 40 for each play of the game.

Preferably, the probability of the marker selecting a member of thesubset of visually distinct positions is no higher than approximately 1in 70 for each play of the game.

Preferably, the gaming apparatus includes a further game and the game isa bonus or feature game of said further game. The bonus or feature gamemay be only playable on the occurrence of at least one predeterminedtrigger event occurring in the further game. The award that is allocatedwhen the marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions mayhave a magnitude dependent on awards awarded during a plurality of freegames on the further game. The award that is allocated when the markeris in the subset of said visually distinct positions may bepredetermined so that the award is substantially larger, withinstatistical bounds, than all other awardable awards of the game.

Preferably, at least one outcome indicating part in said plurality ofoutcome indicating parts indicates an award of a number of free gamesfor the further game and the at least one marker is locatable in atleast two of said visually distinct positions while selecting said atleast one outcome indicating part, and wherein the award substantiallylarger than all other awardable awards is awarded only when the markeris one position of said at least two of said visually distinctpositions. At least two outcome indicating parts in said plurality ofoutcome indicating parts may each indicate an award of a number of freegames for the further game, the number differing between outcomeindicating parts, wherein the award substantially larger than all otherawardable awards is awarded when an outcome indicating part with thehighest number of free games is selected by the at least one marker.

Preferably, each outcome indicating part occupies substantially the samevisually appreciable area.

Preferably, each of the plurality of outcome indicating parts hasindicia on it.

Preferably, there are at least five times as many said visually distinctpositions as said outcome indicating parts.

Preferably, when the at least one marker is in at least one of thevisually distinct positions, the award corresponds to a combination of aresult indicated by the selected outcome indicating part and indicia onthe at least one marker.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda game controller and associated computer memory for a gaming machine,the game controller operable to control play of a game that is played ona gaming machine and to generate control signals for at least onedisplay, wherein when the control signals are received by a display, thedisplay displays images of the game comprising images of a plurality ofoutcome indicating parts, wherein the representations of the outcomeindicating parts are configured so that a plurality of possible outcomesare visually identifiable, and a representation of a selection processcomprising a representation of the selection of at least one of saidoutcome indicating parts, wherein the probability any one of saidoutcome indicating parts being shown as selected in said representationof a selection process is substantially the same as the probability thatwould be expected upon a visual inspection of the images of theplurality of outcome indicating parts and wherein for a subset of theplurality of possible outcomes the probability that a member of thesubset of the plurality of possible outcomes is selected is less thanthe probability that any one of the plurality of outcome indicatingparts is selected, excluding any outcome indicating part that whenselected by the selector only results in an outcome that is a member ofthe subset of the plurality of possible outcomes.

Preferably, at least one outcome in the subset of plurality of outcomesis associated with an award that has a substantially greater value thaneach of the other outcomes of the plurality of possible outcomes.

Preferably, the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes comprises asingle possible outcome.

Preferably, the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes areassociated with an award having a magnitude that is at least ten timesgreater than the award associated with any other possible outcome.

Preferably, the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes areassociated with an award having a magnitude that is at least twentytimes greater than the award associated with any other possible outcome.

Preferably, the probability of the a member of the subset of theplurality of possible outcomes being selected is no higher thanapproximately 1 in 20 for each play of the game.

Preferably, the probability of the a member of the subset of theplurality of possible outcomes being selected is no higher thanapproximately 1 in 40 for each play of the game.

Preferably, the probability of the a member of the subset of theplurality of possible outcomes being selected is no higher thanapproximately 1 in 70 for each play of the game.

Preferably, indicia are provided on each outcome indicating part, theindicia one of indicating or relating to the award that is awarded ifthat outcome indicating part is selected.

Preferably, the outcome indicating parts together present an annular orcircular shape to the player.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda gaming apparatus comprising the game controller and associatedcomputer memory described above, at least one display to receive thecontrol signals and display to a player of the gaming machinerepresentations of the game and an award allocator to allocate to aplayer of the gaming machine any award associated with the outcome ofsaid plurality of possible outcomes that results from play of the game.

Preferably, the game is a feature or bonus game of a further gameprovided on the gaming apparatus.

Preferably, only a single outcome indicating part is selected per gameplay of the game.

Preferably, there are either eight or nine outcome indicating partsarranged to form a circle.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda computerised method of providing a game of chance on a gamingapparatus, the method comprising:

a) controlling play of a game on the gaming apparatus;

b) causing play of the game to be displayed on at least one display ofthe gaming apparatus; and

c) causing an award to be awarded to a player of the gaming apparatusdependent on play of the game;

wherein controlling play of the game involves:

i) causing a plurality of possible outcomes to be shown on the at leastone display so that each said possible outcome occupies a predeterminedspace on the at least one display,

ii) selecting one of said plurality of possible outcomes, with eachpossible outcome selected on average across all plays of the game with aprobability commensurate with the size of the predetermined space thatthat possible outcome occupies on the at least one display relative tothe area occupied by all of said plurality of possible outcomes;

and wherein at least one possible outcome occupies a visuallyappreciable smaller space on the at least one display than the otherpossible outcomes.

Preferably, when said at least one possible outcome is selected, step c)comprises awarding a larger award, either in terms of value received bya player or in terms of cost to an operator of the gaming apparatus,than otherwise.

Preferably, a single possible outcome occupies a substantially smallerspace on the at least one display and wherein when said single possibleoutcome is selected, step c) comprises awarding a substantially largeraward than otherwise.

Preferably, the plurality of possible outcomes together form an annularor circular shape.

Preferably, the method further includes only playing the game upon theoccurrence of a trigger event related to the play of a distinct furthergame.

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description, given by way of example of preferred embodimentsonly and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example gaming machine in whichthe present invention may be implemented.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a control circuit of the gaming machineshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a screen display of an example of a primary game that maygive rise to a wheel feature.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a first embodiment of a screen display associatedwith a wheel feature according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of a screen display associated with awheel feature according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of a screen display associated with awheel feature according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of a screen display associated with awheel feature according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a representation of a wheel feature according to a fifthembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, a gaming machinegenerally referenced by arrow 10 is shown. The gaming machine 10 is anexample of a gaming machine that is suitable to implement the presentinvention. The architecture of the gaming machine 10 includes a console12 having a display 14 on which is displayed representations of a game16 that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine10 houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to play the game16. The mid-trim 20 also houses a credit input mechanism 24 including acoin input chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. A top box 26 may carryartwork 28, including for example, pay tables and details of bonusawards and other information or images relating to the game. A coin tray30 is mounted beneath the console 12 for cash payouts from the gamingmachine 10.

The display 14 shown in FIG. 1 is in the form of a video display unit,particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, thedisplay 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any othersuitable video display unit, or the visible portion of anelectromechanical device. The top box 26 may also be a display, forexample a video display unit, which may the same type as the display 14,or a different type of display.

Referring now to FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings, a simplified blockdiagram of a control circuit 32 for the gaming machine 10 is shown. Thecontrol circuit 32 includes a controller 36 having a processor 34, whichis most suitably a computer processor, and associated computer readablememory 42. A program 44 stored in memory 42 contains instructions, thatwhen executed by the processor 34 causes the controller 36 to implementthe wheel feature of the present invention, optionally also the game 16(which may be provided through a different program and which may becontrolled by a separate controller), and drive the display 14. A set ofsensors 38A are provided with the bank of buttons 22 to allow thecontroller 36 to determine when a player depresses one of the buttons inthe bank of buttons 22. One or more further sensor 38B may be providedwith the display 14, if the display 14 includes touch pads. Thoseskilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the controller 36 mayrepresent either a single device or a plurality of devices, which may belocal or remote to each other. The processor 34 may be any suitableprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other suitabledevice for controlling a gaming machine. In addition, the memory 42 maybe local or remote and may be formed by multiple memory parts.

The controller 36 also receives input signals from the credit inputmechanism 24 to enable it to determine whether or not a player hasprovided sufficient credit to commence play of the game 16 and to enablea running total of a player's credit to be maintained. The controller 36also drives a payout mechanism 40, which for example, may be a coinhopper for feeding coins to the coin tray 30 to make a pay out to aplayer when the player wishes to redeem his or her credit.

Those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the gamingmachine 10 may include many other components to perform functions suchas additional computations, communications and monitoring of play. FIG.2 and the associated description herein is provided only to give abackground to the environment in which the present invention may beimplemented.

Those skilled in the relevant arts will also appreciate that thearchitecture of the gaming machine 10 is only one example of a largenumber of possible alternative gaming apparatus architectures that maybe used with the present invention. By way of example only, a gamingapparatus may have an architecture of one or more displays, a userinterface, a game controller and a transaction handling unit foraccepting and paying credits or currency in some form, all locatedtogether in a single housing or in a plurality of physically connectedhousings. This is the architecture of the gaming machine 10. A secondexample architecture of a gaming apparatus is to have a display and auser interface located at a separate location from a game controller,wherein the game controller communicates with the display and the userinterface through a fixed wire or wireless communication channel. Athird example architecture is to have a first and a second display, thesecond display being located separate from the first display andoptionally shared by a plurality of gaming machines. The second displaymay be controlled by a separate controller from a controller for thefirst display, the two controllers being in communication with eachother.

In other variations of the architecture of the gaming apparatus that maybe used with the present invention, the display 14 may be replaced by amechanical display where a wheel feature according to the presentinvention is displayed to a player using a separate display. The bank ofbuttons 22 may be omitted and reliance placed entirely on touch padsprovided on the display 14, or vice versa. The credit input mechanism 24may be a ticket reader, card reader, smart card reader, a communicationinterface with a personal mobile device, or any other type of validationdevice, either in addition to or instead of one or both of the coininput chute 24A and the bill collector 24B. Alternatively, whereappropriate for the intended use of the gaming machine, a credit inputmechanism may be omitted entirely. Similarly the pay out mechanism 40may be a ticket printer, card writer or other suitable device, or may beomitted entirely, with credits, for example, being communicated to acentral database (not shown). As previously stated, the top box 26 mayinclude a display, but it may also be omitted and if a second display isrequired it may be located separated from the console 12. A gamingmachine, irrespective of its architecture is apparatus that allows aplayer to participate in a game of chance, irrespective of whether ornot the apparatus requires the player to wager a stake in order toparticipate in the primary game.

FIG. 3 shows a screen display 50 of an example of a game 16 that may beplayed on the gaming machine 10. The game 16 is a primary game and maybe one of several such games that may be played using the gaming machine10. A primary game, as the term is used herein, means a game of chance,optionally with a skill component or perceived skill component, that isplayable on a gaming machine. The term “base game” has a correspondingmeaning. Typically, although not necessarily, a player can onlyparticipate in a wheel feature of the present invention after a triggerevent has occurred, the trigger event being related to play of a primarygame of a gaming machine. The screen display 50 shows the occurrence ofa predetermined trigger condition giving rise to a bonus feature. Abonus feature is a secondary game that can be participated in by thegaming machine 10 (or the player at the gaming machine 10) that is inaddition to the primary game. Typically a bonus feature can only beparticipated in at certain times, which may be dictated by play of theprimary game. In this case, the trigger condition is the occurrence of adisplay of three scatter symbols 52 on the screen display 50. Upon theoccurrence of the trigger condition, a bonus feature is awarded, inparticular a wheel feature.

Those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the triggerevent could be any one of a number of trigger events and that multipletrigger events may exist. For example, a trigger event may be based on ameasure of time, a particular amount of wagering activity on the gamingmachine 10, or on some activity of a group of gaming machines includingthe gaming machine 10. Also, the trigger event may depend at least inpart on player tracking information and may be a random or quasi-randomevent. The trigger event may be a random determination for each bet thatis made on each gaming machine, where the chance of the wheel featurebeing triggered is dependent upon the size of the bet on the gamingmachine 10, it may be a random determination for each game played oneach gaming machine 10 such that the chance of triggering the wheelfeature is independent of bet size and the same for each game played, itmay be a standard symbol based trigger—for example three or more scattersymbols appearing during base game play on one of the gaming machines10, or it may comprise the appearance of other types of symbol basedtriggers, such as special feature symbols being overlaid over standardreel symbols or appearing in the background of standard reel symbols,where certain combinations of the special feature symbols trigger thewheel feature. The selection of an event that triggers a wheel featureof the present invention is up to the game designer and many otherpossibilities exist.

While the preferred form of the invention is a particular form of wheelfeature, the wheel feature described herein may also be a standalonegame, and may also be a base game for another feature game.

As an example, when the trigger event occurs the screen display 50 isreplaced by a screen display 54, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings.The user may be requested to select a button “play feature” or similarto initiate the wheel feature. The screen display 54 shows a wheelfeature indicator 55 comprising a simulated wheel 56 divided into anumber of segments 60, 62 and with a plurality of chaser lights 58arranged about the periphery of the wheel 56. The plurality of chaserlights 58 operate as part of a selector to select one or more of thesegments 60, with a lit chaser light 58 being a marker to show whatsegment has been selected. Those skilled in the relevant arts willappreciate that the selector may take different forms from a pluralityof distinct chaser lights. For example, the selector may be an arrow orsimilar that travels around the periphery of the wheel 56 in acontinuous (or at least in such small steps so as to appear continuous)manner, and stop at a location determined by the controller 36. Inanother example, the marker may be the highlighting of segments 60 insome manner, for example by changing the colour of the segment 60 orhighlighting the periphery of the segment 60 that the marker iscurrently pointing to. Parts of segments 60 may also be highlighted inthis manner where this is required. Equally, the marker may be one ormore unlit segments 60. In this way the selection may be made to appearlike a process of elimination. Although in the preferred embodiment themarker travels around the segments 60 so as to sequentially andcyclically point to the segments 60, this is not essential and themarker may jump from segment to segment.

The segments 60 are each of approximately the same size, occupying thesame visual area and presenting the same area for selection to themarkers, plus one segment 62, which is much smaller than the remainingsegments 60. The size of each segment 60, 62 is selected during thedesign of the game to give the desired return to player, according tothe expected frequency of their associated outcome, which is often aprize, being awarded. It is to be noted that the outcome indicated bythe segment 62 is a prize that is orders of magnitude greater than manyof the outcomes or prizes on the segments 60.

The embodiments of the wheel feature indicator 55 shown in theaccompanying drawings show a traditional circular wheel, with theindividual outcome areas being segments of the wheel. However,alternatives to the circular wheel 56 are possible and may be used toimpart a visually distinctive appearance to the wheel feature. Forexample, an alternative wheel feature indicator may have a generallytriangular, rectangular or some other polygon overall shape. The chaserlights 58 also need not travel around the periphery of a contiguousshape and may intersect parts of the wheel feature indicator, forexample by travelling along a path defining a figure eight around andbetween two circles. However, due to its simplicity, proven visualeffectiveness and ability to have any sized segment without regard tohaving to align any intersections of outcome areas with vertices of ashape for visual impact, a single circular shape represents thepreferred form of the invention.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, between seven and ten chaser lights58 are associated with each segment 60, depending on the particularsegment. Conversely, the segment 62 only has a single chaser lightassociated with it. Generally, the larger the number of chaser lights 58associated with each segment 60, the smaller the prize (if any) that isawarded should that segment be selected and segments that award equalprizes have the same number of chaser lights 58 associated with them.However, neither of these are necessary and can be varied by the gamedesigner to achieve a required effect and playing experience.

When the wheel feature is awarded, the chaser lights 58 are lit in asequential manner to simulate movement of a marker around the peripheryof the wheel 56. If required, the sequential illumination of the chaserlights 58 can be effected in a manner simulating the speeding up of thespeed of travel of the lit chaser lights 58 around the periphery of thewheel 56, followed by the chaser lights slowing down and finallystopping. The stopping of the sequential illumination of the chaserlights 58 refers to the sequential illumination of the chaser lights 58ceasing, with a single chaser light of the chaser lights 58 remainingilluminated. If the chaser light that remains illuminated is thatopposite the segment 62, as is shown in FIG. 5, a prize of 1000 credits,being the prize indicated by the segment 62, is awarded. Similarly, ifthe chaser light of the chaser lights 58 that remains illuminated isopposite another segment, then the prize that is indicated by thatsegment is awarded. In one possible alternative embodiment a chaserlight 58 or other selector may be able to straddle two adjacent segments60, 62, in which case a double prize could be awarded.

As the 1000 credit prize has only a single chaser light associated withit, in order for the odds of winning the 1000 credit prize to reflectthe expected odds of that device on a visual inspection, the chance ofone particular chaser light 58 being illuminated is one in seventy two,or more generally (the number of chaser lights 58 associated with aparticular prize) in (the total number of chaser lights 58). Therefore,a large prize can be displayed on the wheel 56 while still having anacceptable hit rate for the wheel feature and return to playerpercentage. If, for example, the wheel feature is triggered on averageevery 100 games then the feature return would be 29.028% as shown bytable 1. TABLE 1 return calculation for the feature wheel shown in FIG.4 Prize for each Probability of Average Prize segment occurrenceContribution (%) 1000 0.013889 13.889 50 0.09722 4.861 20 0.13889 2.77815 0.1250 1.875 15 0.1250 1.875 10 0.1250 1.250 10 0.1250 1.250 5 0.12500.625 5 0.1250 0.625 1.000 29.028

This compares favourably with a wheel where all the segments are thesame size but there is no significantly larger prize offered on thewheel. For example, for a wheel feature having eight equally sizedsegments containing the prize values of 1×150 credits, 1×20 credits,2×15 credits, 2×10 credits and 2×5 credits and which is also triggeredon average once every 100 games, the average return to player percentagewould be 28.75%.

It is an advantage of this arrangement that, because the wheel 56remains stationary, the prizes applicable to the segments 60, 62 arealways visible to the player, increasing the sense of anticipation.However, in less preferred embodiments, the wheel 56 may turn and one ormore stationary markers may be used, or both the wheel and one or moremarkers may move.

It will also be appreciated that the top award prize carried by thesegment 62 could, instead of being a number of credits, be a progressiveprize, a non-monetary win such as a number of free games as describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 6 and 8, or another special bonus feature,which may include a car, a holiday or any other prize.

In FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings, a screen display 64 including asecond embodiment of the wheel feature indicator 55 is shown. Withreference to the previous drawings like reference numerals refer to likeparts unless otherwise specified. In this embodiment many of thesegments 60 of the wheel 56 carry information relating to outcomes otherthan a number of credits that can be awarded in the wheel feature. Forexample, the outcome achieved by play of the wheel feature may be theawarding of a number of free games, where a win in any free game ismultiplied by a certain multiplier, or where a particular symbol in thefree games acts as a substitute symbol.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 illustrates another major advantage ofthe invention. If it was required to offer a 1000 credit prize on awheel in which all segments were equally sized, it would be necessary tomake all of the segments the same size as the segment carrying the 1000credit prize. It would be impossible or at least difficult toeffectively describe free games and other such feature awards offered onthe other segments because of their small size. In other words, therewould not physically be enough room on the segments.

Of course, the segment for the major prize occupies only a small portionof the wheel in comparison to other segments. In order to draw attentionto the major prize, the segment containing the prize may be made to beeye-catching, for example by having a bright red background when allother segments have a white or pale coloured background. Also, the majorprize may be located top and centre and will remain there in embodimentsof the present invention using a selector in the form of chaser lightsor similar instead of rotating the wheel 56.

In FIG. 7 of the drawings, a still further embodiment of a screendisplay 66 of a wheel feature indicator 55 is shown. With reference tothe previous drawings, like reference numerals referring to like partsunless otherwise specified. In this embodiment of the invention, all thesegments 60 are of the same size. However, one of the segments 60A has aprize outcome of a number of credits, which is larger than the prizeoutcomes carried by the other segments 60. In addition, one of thechaser lights 58A associated with the segment 60A carries a multiplieron it which multiplies the number of credits shown on the segment 60A.Therefore, within the segment 60A are two possible outcomes, oneassociated with four chaser lights (in two parts) and indicating a prizeof 100 credits and another associated with one chaser light, indicatinga prize of 1000 credits. The chances of winning the 1000 credits still,however, can reflect the probability that would be expected on a visualinspection of the wheel feature indicator 55.

Accordingly, in this embodiment of the invention, if the last chaserlight 58 that remains illuminated is the chaser light 58A, then theprize awarded to the player is 1000 credits, being the number of creditson the segment 60A multiplied by the multiplier carried on the chaserlight 58A. Because only the one chaser light 58A associated with thesegment 60A carries the multiplier, the probability of the top awardprize being awarded is lower than the probability of any of theremaining prizes. An advantage in selecting the segment 60A with thelargest outcome for the multiplier is that the value of the multipliercan be reduced. As the multiplier is displayed on a chaser light, thedisplay area is limited. Referring still to FIG. 7, if a 1000 creditprize was to be awarded through the use of a multiplier on the chaserlight 58C, then the multiplier would be 200, a three digit number thatwould need to be printed using smaller digits than a two digit number tofit on the chaser light.

In FIG. 8 of the drawings, a screen display 68 of yet a furtherembodiment of the wheel feature indicator 55 is shown. As in the case ofthe previous embodiments, like reference numerals refer to like partsunless otherwise specified. In this embodiment of the invention, likethe embodiment shown in FIG. 7, all the segments 60 are of the samesize. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, some of the segments of thesegments 60 carry an outcome that is a prize in the form of a specifiednumber of credits. If a chaser light of the chaser lights 58 that isopposite these segments is the last chaser light illuminated, theoutcome is the number of credits indicated on the segment multiplied bya multiplier value that is carried by that particular chaser light. Ifthe last chaser light that is illuminated of the chaser lights 58 isassociated with a segment 60 carrying a number of free games (typicallyfor the primary game), then the prize that is awarded is the number offree games on the marked segment 60. Any win occurring during the freegames is then multiplied by the multiplier of the illuminated chaserlight 58.

As in the previous embodiments, a particular chaser light, indicated bythe combination of the segment 60B and chaser light 58B, provides anaward that may be of substantially higher value (in this embodiment thevalue is variable within statistical bounds, due to the prize beingdependent on play of a primary game) than any of the other outcomes. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the segment 60B carries an outcome of 25free games and the chaser light 58B carries a multiplier ofsubstantially higher value than any of the other multipliers. If thelast chaser light 58 that is illuminated is chaser light 58B the playeris awarded an outcome of 25 free games in which any win in the free gameseries is multiplied by a multiplier of 30. A major prize awarded inthis way may provide particular excitement to a player that wins thelarge prize, as the awarding of the large prize is an ongoing exercisespanning 25 games. When this is used in combination with a wheelfeature, which has proven appeal, the overall result may be particularlyadvantageous.

The feature wheel indicator 55 shown in FIG. 8 has a second major prize,namely 4000 credits awarded when the chaser light that indicates ×20,which is opposite the segment that indicates 200, is the last chaserlight of the chaser lights 58 to be illuminated. Due to the relativelysmall area (2 parts in 40) that the major prizes occupy, it is possiblewith the present invention to offer more than one major prize on afeature wheel.

In an alternative to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, one or moreof the chaser lights 58 may indicate a prize that is independent of thesegment 60 that it is opposite, if it is opposite any segment 60 at all(the chaser lights 58 that indicate an independent prize may be locatedaway from the segments 60). For example one chaser light 58 may have thesymbol “$” on it and this may be the major prize. In this embodiment itis clear that the chaser lights 58 that indicate a prize that isindependent of any segment is in fact itself an outcome indicating partin the same manner as the segments 60 are outcome indicating parts, thedifference being that the chaser light is selected when it isilluminated, in contrast to a segment 60 being selected when a marker 58that is adjacent to the segment 60 is illuminated.

A further alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 9. An arrow 70 or other marker travels continuously around thewheel 56 and an annulus 72 has been located around the wheel 56, theannulus 72 separated into parts 74 (only one of which is indicated inFIG. 9 by a reference numeral) marked in a similar or corresponding wayto the chaser lights 58 shown in FIG. 8. This embodiment may beparticularly suited to the use of colour coding to indicate prizes. Thearrow 70 could then travel around the outer side of the annulus 72 asindicated by arrow A in FIG. 9, or between the annulus 72 and the wheel56 to select the combination of one of the segments 60 and one part 74of the annulus 72. Where the feature wheel is not circular, the annulus72 would be replaced by a corresponding different shape. Althoughneither the segments 60 nor the parts 74 of the annulus 72 are shown inFIG. 9 with indicia (or colour coding), they will be marked so that amajor prize can be won. For example, the part 74A may indicate a majorprize in a similar way in which chaser light 58B (see FIG. 8) indicateda major prize. Of course, the segments 60 shown in FIG. 9 need not beall the same size. For example the wheel 56 may have a small segment 60that only corresponds to the part 74A in a similar manner to segment 62only corresponding to a single chaser light 58 (see FIG. 5).

It will be appreciated, that, although the invention has been describedwith reference to the display of the wheel feature being implemented asan electronic simulation of a wheel, the display of the wheel featurecould be implemented in an electro-mechanical form with a stationarywheel (where this is required) and actual chaser lights arrayed aboutthe periphery of the wheel.

It is an advantage of the invention that a wheel feature is providedwhich addresses the limitation on the size of prize segments. Ingeneral, there are only so many prizes that can be effectively displayedon a wheel without taking away from the look and feel of the wheel andmaking it difficult to read the prizes. With the wheel feature of thepresent invention, this problem is overcome.

In addition, regulations for a large number of markets prohibit the useof weightings, similar to those used on reel strips, on a feature wheel.This makes it more difficult to offer large prizes on a wheel becausethe larger the prize the more effect it will have on the overall returnto the player of the game. With the wheel feature of the presentinvention, this problem has been addressed.

Further, it is an advantage of the invention that the wheel featureavoids the need for a multi-stage process. Multi-stage processes havethe disadvantage that the large prize, or top prize, cannot be displayeddirectly on the wheel so that the player does not have a feeling of thepotential of winning the large prize with just one spin of the wheel.

The disadvantage of not being able to provide the potential for winninga large or jackpot prize extends to other situations also. For exampleit may be desired to provide a prize or outcome of lower value and yetstill have a low probability of occurrence of that prize or outcome.Prizes of this type may require, for example, input of time by staff ofthe gaming machine operator. The present invention may allow such aprize to be offered.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown inthe specific embodiments described herein without departing from thescope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The presentembodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive.

1. A gaming apparatus comprising a game controller and at least onedisplay, the gaming apparatus operable to allow a player to play a game,wherein the game controller controls play of the game and controls theat least one display to display representations of play of the game, therepresentations of the game comprising a selector having at least onemarker and a plurality of outcome indicating parts, each presenting to aplayer of the gaming machine a visually appreciable area that isavailable to be selected by the selector, the game controller causingdisplay on the at least one display a representation of a selection ofat least one outcome indicating part by the selector, and allocate anaward to a player of the gaming machine, the allocated award beingdependent on the selected at least one outcome indicating part, whereina subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts have asubstantially lower probability of being selected in comparison to eachof the other outcome indicating parts, and wherein the visuallyappreciable area that is available to be selected by the selector of theoutcome indicating parts in the subset is substantially less than thevisually appreciable area that is available to be selected by theselector for the other outcome indicating parts.
 2. The gaming apparatusof claim 1, wherein the subset of the plurality of outcome indicatingparts result in a substantially larger allocated award, either in termsof value received by a player or in terms of cost to an operator of thegaming apparatus, than the other outcome indicating parts.
 3. The gamingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the outcome indicating parts togetherpresent an annular or circular shape to the player, and wherein the atleast one marker one of moves and appears to move about the outcomeindicating parts and then stops to show the representation of aselection of at least one outcome indicating part.
 4. The gamingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the selector comprises a plurality ofilluminable areas located in a path extending about the outcomeindicating parts, each of the illuminable areas being illuminated anddarkened in a sequential pattern and wherein an illuminable arearepresents said at least one marker only when it is illuminated.
 5. Thegaming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outcome indicating parts areeach displayed as a stationary area and the at least one marker isdisplayed as one of moving and appearing to move relative to the outcomeindicating parts.
 6. The gaming apparatus of claim 1, wherein theoutcome indicating parts are each displayed as a stationary area and theat least one marker is displayed as one of moving and appearing to moverelative to the outcome indicating parts progressively along a path thatextends past every one of the plurality of outcome indicating parts. 7.The gaming apparatus of claim 1, wherein each outcome indicating partincludes indicia on it that indicates an award to a player.
 8. Thegaming apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the outcomeindicating parts in the subset of the plurality of the outcomeindicating parts is displayed so as to be visually distinctive despitepresenting a lesser visually appreciable area than the other outcomeindicating parts.
 9. The gaming apparatus of claim 1, including afurther game, wherein the controller causes the game to be able to beplayed by a player of the gaming machine only on the eventuation of atleast one event that is related to play of the further game.
 10. Thegaming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the probability of a member of thesubset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts being selected bythe selector is no higher than approximately 1 in 40 for each selection.11. The gaming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the probability of a memberof the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts beingselected by the selector is no higher than approximately 1 in 70 foreach selection.
 12. The gaming apparatus of claim 1, wherein theprobability of a member of the subset of the plurality of outcomeindicating parts being selected by the selector is no higher thanapproximately 1 in 20 for each selection.
 13. The gaming apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein the subset of the plurality of outcome indicatingparts consists of two outcome indicating parts.
 14. The gaming apparatusof claim 1, wherein the subset of the plurality of outcome indicatingparts is a single outcome indicating part.
 15. The gaming apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the allocated award that results when an outcomeindicating part from the subset is selected is at least ten times theallocated award that results when any one of the other outcomeindicating parts is selected.
 16. The gaming apparatus of claim 1,wherein the allocated award that results when an outcome indicating partfrom the subset is selected is at least twenty times the allocated awardthat results when any one of the other outcome indicating parts isselected.
 17. A gaming apparatus having a game controller and at leastone display, the gaming apparatus operable to allow a player to play agame, wherein the game controller controls play of the game and controlsthe at least one display to display representations of play of the game,the representations of the game comprising: i) a plurality of outcomeindicating parts and at least one marker that is locatable in aplurality of visually distinct positions that each indicate theselection of an outcome indicating part in said plurality of outcomeindicating parts, the number of said visually distinct positions beinggreater than the number of the plurality of outcome indicating parts,and ii) a visual representation of the selection of an outcomeindicating part by the at least one marker, wherein the probability ofthe marker being in any one of the plurality of visually distinctpositions is substantially the same as the probability that would beexpected upon a visual inspection of the representations of the game,and the gaming apparatus allocates an award to a player of the gamingapparatus dependent on play of the game, the award specified by theparticular position in said plurality of positions that the marker islocated in when the selected outcome indicating part was selected, atleast two distinct awards being awardable when at least one of saidoutcome indicating parts is selected.
 18. The gaming apparatus of claim17, wherein the outcome indicating parts together present an annular orcircular shape to the player, and wherein the at least one marker one ofmoves and appears to move relative to the outcome indicating parts andthen stops to select one or more of said outcome indicating parts. 19.The gaming apparatus of claim 17, wherein the allocated award issubstantially larger, either in terms of value received by a player orin terms of cost to an operator of the gaming apparatus than all otherawardable awards when the marker is in a subset of said visuallydistinct positions.
 20. The gaming apparatus of claim 19, wherein theallocated award is at least ten times larger than all other awardableawards of the game when the at least one marker is in the subset of saidvisually distinct positions when the selected outcome indicating partwas selected.
 21. The gaming apparatus of claim 19, wherein theallocated award is at least twenty times larger than all other awardableawards of the game when the at least one marker is in the subset of saidvisually distinct positions when the selected outcome indicating partwas selected.
 22. The gaming apparatus of claim 19, wherein theprobability of the marker selecting a member of the subset of visuallydistinct positions is no higher than approximately 1 in 20 for each playof the game.
 23. The gaming apparatus of claim 19, wherein theprobability of the marker selecting a member of the subset of visuallydistinct positions is no higher than approximately 1 in 40 for each playof the game.
 24. The gaming apparatus of claim 19, wherein theprobability of the marker selecting a member of the subset of visuallydistinct positions is no higher than approximately 1 in 70 for each playof the game.
 25. The gaming apparatus of claim 17, wherein the gamingapparatus includes a further game and the game is a bonus or featuregame of said further game.
 26. The gaming apparatus of claim 25, whereinthe bonus or feature game is only playable on the occurrence of at leastone predetermined trigger event occurring in the further game.
 27. Thegaming apparatus of claim 25, wherein the award that is allocated whenthe marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions has amagnitude dependent on awards awarded during a plurality of free gameson the further game.
 28. The gaming apparatus of claim 27, wherein theaward that is allocated when the marker is in the subset of saidvisually distinct positions is predetermined so that the award issubstantially larger, within statistical bounds, than all otherawardable awards of the game.
 29. The gaming apparatus of claim 22,wherein at least one outcome indicating part in said plurality ofoutcome indicating parts indicates an award of a number of free gamesfor the further game and the at least one marker is locatable in atleast two of said visually distinct positions while selecting said atleast one outcome indicating part, and wherein the award substantiallylarger than all other awardable awards is awarded only when the markeris one position of said at least two of said visually distinctpositions.
 30. The gaming apparatus of claim 29, wherein at least twooutcome indicating parts in said plurality of outcome indicating partseach indicate an award of a number of free games for the further game,the number differing between outcome indicating parts, wherein the awardsubstantially larger than all other awardable awards is awarded when anoutcome indicating part with the highest number of free games isselected by the at least one marker.
 31. The gaming apparatus of claim17, wherein each outcome indicating part occupies substantially the samevisually appreciable area.
 32. The gaming apparatus of claim 17, whereineach of the plurality of outcome indicating parts has indicia on it. 33.The gaming apparatus of claim 17, wherein there are at least five timesas many said visually distinct positions as said outcome indicatingparts.
 34. The gaming apparatus of claim 17, wherein when the at leastone marker is in at least one of the visually distinct positions, theaward corresponds to a combination of a result indicated by the selectedoutcome indicating part and indicia on the at least one marker.
 35. Agame controller and associated computer memory for a gaming machine, thegame controller operable to control play of a game that is played on agaming machine and to generate control signals for at least one display,wherein when the control signals are received by a display, the displaydisplays images of the game comprising images of a plurality of outcomeindicating parts, wherein the representations of the outcome indicatingparts are configured so that a plurality of possible outcomes arevisually identifiable, and a representation of a selection processcomprising a representation of the selection of at least one of saidoutcome indicating parts, wherein the probability any one of saidoutcome indicating parts being shown as selected in said representationof a selection process is substantially the same as the probability thatwould be expected upon a visual inspection of the images of theplurality of outcome indicating parts and wherein for a subset of theplurality of possible outcomes the probability that a member of thesubset of the plurality of possible outcomes is selected is less thanthe probability that any one of the plurality of outcome indicatingparts is selected, excluding any outcome indicating part that whenselected by the selector only results in an outcome that is a member ofthe subset of the plurality of possible outcomes.
 36. The gamecontroller of claim 35, wherein at least one outcome in the subset ofplurality of outcomes is associated with an award that has asubstantially greater value than each of the other outcomes of theplurality of possible outcomes.
 37. The game controller of claim 35,wherein the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes comprises asingle possible outcome.
 38. The game controller of claim 35, whereinthe subset of the plurality of possible outcomes are associated with anaward having a magnitude that is at least ten times greater than theaward associated with any other possible outcome.
 39. The gamecontroller of claim 35, wherein the subset of the plurality of possibleoutcomes are associated with an award having a magnitude that is atleast twenty times greater than the award associated with any otherpossible outcome.
 40. The game controller of claim 35, wherein theprobability of the a member of the subset of the plurality of possibleoutcomes being selected is no higher than approximately 1 in 20 for eachplay of the game.
 41. The game controller of claim 35, wherein theprobability of the a member of the subset of the plurality of possibleoutcomes being selected is no higher than approximately 1 in 40 for eachplay of the game.
 42. The game controller of claim 35, wherein theprobability of the a member of the subset of the plurality of possibleoutcomes being selected is no higher than approximately 1 in 70 for eachplay of the game.
 43. The game controller of claim 35, wherein indiciaare provided on each outcome indicating part, the indicia one ofindicating or relating to the award that is awarded if that outcomeindicating part is selected.
 44. The game controller of claim 35,wherein the outcome indicating parts together present an annular orcircular shape to the player.
 45. A gaming apparatus comprising the gamecontroller and associated computer memory of claim 35, at least onedisplay to receive the control signals and display to a player of thegaming machine representations of the game and an award allocator toallocate to a player of the gaming machine any award associated with theoutcome of said plurality of possible outcomes that results from play ofthe game.
 46. The gaming apparatus of claim 45, wherein the game is afeature or bonus game of a further game provided on the gamingapparatus.
 47. The gaming apparatus of claim 45, wherein only a singleoutcome indicating part is selected per game play of the game.
 48. Thegaming apparatus of claim 45, wherein there are either eight or nineoutcome indicating parts arranged to form a circle.
 49. A computerizedmethod of providing a game of chance on a gaming apparatus, the methodcomprising: a) controlling play of a game on the gaming apparatus; b)causing play of the game to be displayed on at least one display of thegaming apparatus; and c) causing an award to be awarded to a player ofthe gaming apparatus dependent on play of the game; wherein controllingplay of the game involves: i) causing a plurality of possible outcomesto be shown on the at least one display so that each said possibleoutcome occupies a predetermined space on the at least one display, ii)selecting one of said plurality of possible outcomes, with each possibleoutcome selected on average across all plays of the game with aprobability commensurate with the size of the predetermined space thatthat possible outcome occupies on the at least one display relative tothe area occupied by all of said plurality of possible outcomes; andwherein at least one possible outcome occupies a visually appreciablesmaller space on the at least one display than the other possibleoutcomes.
 50. The method of claim 49, wherein when said at least onepossible outcome is selected, step c) comprises awarding a larger award,either in terms of value received by a player or in terms of cost to anoperator of the gaming apparatus, than otherwise.
 51. The method ofclaim 49, wherein a single possible outcome occupies a substantiallysmaller space on the at least one display and wherein when said singlepossible outcome is selected, step c) comprises awarding a substantiallylarger award than otherwise.
 52. The method of claim 49 to 51, whereinthe plurality of possible outcomes together form an annular or circularshape.
 53. The method of claim 49 including only playing the game uponthe occurrence of a trigger event related to the play of a distinctfurther game.
 54. (canceled)
 55. A game controller and associatedcomputer memory as claimed in claim 35, the game controller operable toexecute instructions in the computer and control play of a secondarygame substantially according to any one of the embodiments hereindescribed.
 56. (canceled)
 57. (canceled)
 58. The gaming apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein only a single outcome indicating part is selected pergame play of the game.
 59. The gaming apparatus of claim 1, whereinthere are either eight or nine outcome indicating parts arranged to forma circle.